Candidates can’t expect taxpayers to fund child care

Toni Shea, Woodbury

This is in response to the Sept. 4 story “Child care costs an issue.”

Jahana Hayes, Democratic nominee for Connecticut’s 5th Congressional District seat, legally took $580 from her campaign account to pay a sitter. She has four young sons. Caitlin Clarkson Pereria, a Democratic candidate for the 132nd state House District seat, wants to know why she can’t do the same. Ms. Clarkson Pereria is participating in Connecticut’s Citizens’ Election Program (CEP), and candidates who receive public financing for their campaigns cannot use these funds for child-care expenses. She asks, “What happens to the children when I’m out at an event, when I’m out door-knocking?”

State Rep. Michelle L. Cook, D-Torrington, told the Republican-American, “I want to ensure children have a safe place to be or have a good caregiver if they’re trying to win a seat.”

Expecting taxpayers to take responsibility for candidates’ families foretells what we can expect from these candidates in advancing important issues for our families. The proceeds from the sales of abandoned state properties fund CEP, and this money otherwise would be used for lessening taxpayer debt.

Embarking on such a demanding and important mission without a cohesive, unified and workable family plan is unthinkable to a responsible adult. Skewed priorities, entitlement and victimhood are pervasive and destructive. Responsible adults are insulted by the absurdity being peddled.

Those who shape the future need to be adults and ready to lead, not lean; unify, not divide; and assist, not resist. Gender, race and physical appearance don’t matter.